If you had Richard Gasquet and Tommy Haas in your Miami SF bracket give yourself a very large pat on the back, because I doubt anyone on this planet did. After years and years of status quo at the top events – like the Miami Tennis Masters – we finally got a draw that didn’t go to form. That means no Novak Djokovic, no Juan Martin Del Potro and of course no Rafael Nadal/Roger Federer, neither of whom entered the event run by their former management company.

Andy Murray is there as is David Ferrer, but one-handed wizards Gasquet and Haas join in as longshot Cinderellas. And it’s somewhat refreshing.

Haas, who routinely dismantled a slumping(?) Novak Djokovic Tuesday night, is a former No. 2 and a player who I think deserves a better hand than the one he’s been dealt. Haas has suffered through an injury-riddled career yet now just days from turning 35 he’s still ticking and perhaps because of all that missed time he’s fresher than most would be at his age.

Gasquet might also be a late bloomer. “Baby Fed” was his nickname on this site years ago and fittingly so. But he’s never lived up to the billing. The 26-year-old is arguably the most talented player to have never even been to a Slam final. In fact, he’s only been to the quarterfinals ONCE in his Grand Slam career, and he’s never won a Masters title. But like a tease the Frenchman looked darn good last night in a walkthrough over Tomas Berdych 6-3, 6-3.

So can these two relative bracket busters continue their run? On to my picks.

Tommy Haas vs. David Ferrer
For two guys in their 30s (both celebrate birthdays next week), this will be just their third career meeting. Ferrer has won both but there’s not much to derive from those matches as their most recent clash was way back in 2008 Dubai and the other at 2005 Paris. A long time ago.

Haas is clearly the hot player here. Beating Djokovic and then backing it up with an equally impressive won over Gilles Simon. Since his first match of the tournament, the German hasn’t even faced a set point. But Ferrer will make Tommy work hard, very hard. And David’s now into his third semifinal in Miami.

“It’s incredible what he’s done the last year,” said Haas on Wednesday. “It’s going to be a great challenge. I haven’t played him in a long time, so I’m looking forward to it.”

With three of the Big Four not around, this is another opportunity for Ferrer, and probably his last one to get a title like Miami. Maybe feeling that pressure, Ferrer stumbled a bit early against Jurgen Melzer yesterday. In his path, he didn’t really beat anyone of signifigance – Fognini? Nishikori? Still, we know Ferrer will give it all he can. But Haas, who trains in nearby Bradenton, will have the crowd with him, the weaponry and above all the momentum.

If Haas plays like he’s been playing and he’s not wiped out from all the tennis he’s played, he should win.The pick: Haas in two

Richard Gasquet vs. Andy Murray
In the night match, it’s no surprise to see Andy Murray make the final four, but what an event for Gasquet. The Frenchman’s collected three pretty good wins – Youzhny, Almagro and Berdych – and he’s playing his best tennis in a long time.

Murray, meanwhile, has been slogging through, as usual. His win over Marin Cilic was completely forgettable (I lost count of how many service breaks) and even though he hasn’t dropped a set yet it’s hard to say Murray is playing inspired tennis this week. But he’ll need to today against a very sharp Gasquet.

These two have played seven times before and Gasquet has won three of them, but two remarkable chokes cost him additional victories (Wimbledon, French Open). And Gasquet is 2-0 against Murray on hardcourts.

“For sure, I know I can win against Andy,” Gasquet said. “He’s No. 3 in the world. But I know his game. I know how he plays. I play so many times against him. We did great matches in the past. I will do my best to win him. And for sure I have nothing to lose, and I can go on the court to play aggressive and try to win.”

Murray, though, is the US Open champion. He lives in Miami. He’s won this title before and he’s proven he can win these big time matches. And like Ferrer, with the top guys not around, what an opportunity. Gasquet? The talent, the game are there, but what about the consistency to win these kinds of matches? I haven’t seen it. Richard will keep it close….The pick: Murray in three

ESPN2 concludes its live coverage today with both semifinals. CBS will have the finals this weekend.

82 Comments for Murray, Ferrer The Favorites, But Will The March Madness Continue? Miami SF Picks And Pans

RZ Says:

With the Paris Masters last year, where Fed and Rafa didn’t show up and Andy and Nole lost early, I thought of that tournament as an aberration. Now I’m thinking that the Miami tournament is the early signal of the slow decline of the Big 4′s dominance. I still expect that they will be the main challengers and winners for all the Grand Slams and Masters titles in the coming years; but with Fed and Rafa likely to be playing more limited schedules, and with Nole a step below his 2011 best, I think we’ll see more variation in the semis of upcoming tournaments.

Wow! Waiting for the Haas/Ferrer match and I saw that Lisa Raymond and Laura Robson are into the doubles final after a 61 62 demolishing of world No. 1s Erran-Vinci. Hopefully this confidence will spill over into her singles play.

Regarding the Haas pick, I’d agree if it was a night match where the balls stay low. But already I can see how high they’re bouncing and I think that favors Ferrer. If Haas continues with his aggression and ending points quickly at the net I give him a chance. Otherwise Daveed is going to run him side to side until he runs out of gas.

Personally I love a beautiful lob and/or a crosscourt, sharply angled, running forehand. Some one handed backhands are lovely. Sometimes I find the body too arched looking, though, and the ball can sometimes land short. Gasquet’s is outrageous to behold. :)

Murray looking simply bigger stronger on he court right now. I pity Ferrer if he has to play Murray. Murray may or may not win, but with his fitness regime and Lendl he has made the right moves to move up…

This will be Andy’s 3rd Miami final.
Andy’s game is still so very young and raw, and yet you can see he’s got game. He just needs to bring all that skill/talent into being consistent at it. He has the potential imho to improve the most out of the top 4 looking into the future. Will he? C’mon Lendl!

What a strange match, In the intervals of playing brilliant tennis, both men did their best to lose. Still, at least ol’ Sean got the score right!
A lob may not be the most elegant of tennis shots, but Andy turns it into an art form.

By the way, anyone remember Milton Reed, the Hammer Films resident fat bad guy? He also appeared in one of the Bond movies, the first one with Richard “Jaws” Kiel, I think. Anyway, one of the line judges at Miami looks just like him.

Didn’t watch match but just heard score and it sounded bizarre. If Crashquet injured explains it, shame.
@ skeeze 9.08pm
Lovely comments about Andy, thanx :) Do hope he can actually come of tennis age, but 26 this year so he better get his skates on.

I will go with Sean picks and may be this time atleast he has got it bang on. Haas should win against Ferrer, no issues over there and Murray should also roll over Gasquet. What a line up for the Semis which nobody would have ever imagined. I thought Berdych would have a good chance considering that he is a nemesis for Andy as can be seen from their H2H. But he had shoulder problems and that got the better of him. Now, I want Haas to lift this title. Having come so far, he should not falter. This is his only chance and he should grab it like there is never tomorrow. He has already won Indian Wells holding the twin Masters will be a unique feat indeed.

@Margot: I wouldn’t be to concerned about muzza. In tennis, just like in life, folks mature at varying rates. Andy’s progression is at a different rate to his peers, not any less or better, just his own. IMO his games is coming along very nicely and he is displaying a more steely consistency than ever before. I’m absolutely certain he’ll create oppurtunities for himself regarding the big titles. Now though I’m more certain than ever before, that he’ll make the most out of them!

Brando much agreed,and with a(hopefully)new and improved Rafa,as a fan of both players i couldnt be happier,i like Daveed but im hoping Andy can bag the Miami title and the no2 ranking into the bargain go Muzza.